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Was wanting some input on what is the best technique when judging a bears size!
Thanks A.J

Do like everyone else, measure from head to tail and add a foot. Two if you don't have to show pictures!

My favorite way is to tip them over and put them on a scale.

95% of the time if you think it's small, it is. 75% of the time you think it's big, it's small.

Look for small ears and a big gut, that is usually a pretty good sign it's a lunker. In any case, if the critter is one you want, it's legal and it's in the crosshairs go ahead and squeeze the trigger. If it ends up being smaller than you though, so what hold out for one that looks bigger next time. Trust me on this part, guys don't get good at judging bear sizes by miraculously only shooting a turbo once a decade. It's from seeing quite a few on the ground and working from there.

nolte, you nailed it buddy! same goes for lions.

The big ones look big.

Anyone done the measureing the track width wise and adding an inch to it to get an estimate as to how LONG the bear is? Like a 4.5 inch track plus an inch would be close to a 5.5 foot bear. I haven't ever killed a bear that I've measured the track on to compare. I second what Nolte says but, I still loose some money every year guessing over the weight.

look at the head if it has small ears or there hard to see its a good one if it has long or big ears its a small one www. fallriverwalker.com

look at the head if it has small ears or there hard to see its a good one if it has long or big ears its a small one www. fallriverwalker.com

Easier to measure when its on the ground?

Thank you everyone for your input,i greatly appreciate it!

Take care A.J.

I agree with the guys on here, small ears=bigger bear! Mine had bigger ears and it was on the small size

If Andy comes back- big bear. If Andy stays and helps some -nice bear. If Andy acts like a bear dog -its probably not a bear.

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We judge a lot of bears here and unfortunately a lot of methods used in the field cant be used in a tree.
Obviously all species have the big head big animal thing but there are exceptions to that.

A real big bears ears (350-400lbs+) will appear small and look like they're growing out the side of his head, not on top and you can often "fit" 3 more between them.
His face will be slightly dished and there will be a pronounced crease up his forehead, something that only appears on a mature bear.
You can also use the tree (if its a big one) to judge the size of the bear by comparing its torso to the trunk.

On the ground a big old bear will actually have a bit of a saddle back and his asshole will be real close to the ground, I'm talking like a foot or less.
Where a lot of length comes from in a bear rug is, when skinned, that big curve from the top of his back down to his tail.


Any bear in a tree is a good one though so just have fun.

Guess the weight in the tree, then subtract 100lbs and you'll be pretty close. hahahahha